Avstemninger

Avstemninger is the act of casting a vote in formal decision-making processes. The term is used in Norwegian to describe voting in legislatures, councils, associations, and company meetings, and it corresponds to the English concept of voting or ballots. Avstemninger determine whether proposals, candidates, or measures are approved or rejected.

In practice, avstemninger can take different forms. They may be conducted as secret ballots, where voters choose privately, or as open or viva voce votes, where voters declare their choice publicly. Some bodies use roll-call voting, electronic systems, or written ballots. The outcome is usually determined by comparing votes to a predefined threshold or rule.

Common thresholds include simple majorities (more votes for than against), absolute majorities (more than half of all eligible votes), and supermajorities (such as two-thirds or three-fifths), which are often required for constitutional changes, budget priorities, or other significant decisions. Abstentions and invalid or blank ballots may affect the outcome differently depending on rules; in some systems abstentions are not counted toward the threshold, while in others they reduce the number of valid votes.

The rules governing avstemninger aim to ensure legitimacy, transparency, and accountability. Modern developments include the use of digital voting and remote participation to broaden accessibility, alongside continued attention to security, privacy, and the integrity of the process.